In a story published Sunday, Los Angeles magazine detailed how Puig received death threats from human traffickers under control of a murderous Mexican drug cartel.

"I'm aware of the recent articles and news accounts. I understand that people are curious and have questions, but I will have no comment on this subject," Puig said in a statement through his agent, Adam Katz. "I'm represented on this matter, and I'm only focused on being a productive teammate and helping the Dodgers win games."

Puig has reportedly been subjected to a lawsuit that accuses him of wrongfully accusing a man of trying to set up a defection.

According to the magazine, a Miami air-conditioning repairman and recycler who was on probation for attempted burglary and possession of a fake ID, agreed to pay smugglers $250,000 to get Puig out of Cuba. Puig, in return, would agree to give the man 20 percent of his future earnings. Puig allegedly paid 20 percent of his contract value to the Florida group that brought him to the United States in July 2012, according to a report.